Detroit Public Schools enrollment up 14% in high schools

Detroit Public Schools is reporting a 14 percent increase in enrollment for students in grades 9-12. Overall enrollment is still down by two percent, but that's a smaller decrease than previous years.

According to numbers collected by the district on count day, nine of DPS's 19 high schools saw an increase in students.

DPS launched an enrollment campaign over the summer in an effort to meet projections included in the district's budget. Despite enrollment increases in some high schools, DPS still didn't meet those goals.

DPS high schools reported a 14 percent increase over last year. Overall enrollment is down by two percent.

Credit Sarah Hulett / Michigan Radio

LaMar Lemmons is the president of the Detroit Board of Education. He says the DPS emergency manager's projections were unrealistic.

"Unfortunately I don't think the efforts from over the summer yielded very much, particularly for the expense that was put into it," he said.

Enrollment has been on a steady decline for years. DPS spokesperson Steve Wasko says the district is pleased with these numbers.

"These enrollment statistics go directionally opposite of what has been close to a 17 year trend," he said.

DPS is still dealing with overcrowding problems in classrooms.

Wasko says the district is unaware of any crowded classrooms, but Lemmons says some classes have 40 to 50 students.

"They're aren't enough desks in some of the classrooms," he said. "It's literally standing room only."

The district will now have to reformat its budget with these enrollment numbers in mind.